Cells

These isolation cells came to symbolise the hardships and trauma of prison life for men incarcerated at Number Four. They now form part of the new Constitution Hill precinct and have been kept intact as a reminder of the role of the prison in the history of South Africa.

Goldblatt’s photograph is a graphic reminder of the bleakness of this space. The repetitive structure and the lack of variation in the cells depicted in the image remind the reader of the inhumanity of this form of imprisonment and of the apartheid state’s sordid attempt to break the dignity and sanity of the men who were held here. 

Artwork courtesy of SABC Art Collection.